Hello all
I just read of an individual using a potato peeler for fleshing. I was curious how well this actually works. I don't do taxidermy work, but I do a lot of hunting and I am always looking for a better way of doing things. This method sounds like it might not be a bad one in the field. Are there any limitations as to what a peeler can and can't do? Thanks.
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I am not sure why I am responding to your post because I have no idea about using a potato peeler for fleshing let alone cooking -LOL.
But I do know that in my limited experience of peeling potatoes or carrots,etc. I have always found that the peeler gets a little clogged up with peelings from time to time as I am working along, I would have to say that the sticky flesh that you would be attempting to remove from a hide would be a much worse case of clogging up the peeler, although there have been a few otter and beaver that while fleshing I thought that the fat really reminded me of a potato--hmmm... wierd.
thats all I can offer.
sounds like it would flesh fat and meat....need something sharper
for membrane and shaving though.......Im hooked on the "skife" knife.
I use it on raw capes.Think its made for leather thinning...
good luck spud! ahhhh haaaaaa haaaaaaaa
Talk about re-discovering the wheel! That has to be the most in-effective cross-application I can imagine. How about:
A beer can opener to remove eyes?
A cork screw for bird gutting in the field?
Shards of broken beer bottles to shave hides?
Frozen orange juice as a citric acid base?
Flour, salt and water to replace All-Game?
A basting brush to paint bird beaks and duck bills?
Replacing those dangerous lacquers with food coloring?
Any one else got a good idea?
LOL It truly amazes me at the brilliant ideas some taxidermists dream up in an attempt to avoid the obvious and "save money". It doesn't get much simpler than a draw knife on a fleshing beam, but now a potato peeler. Maybe I snorted too much lacquer thinner in my younger days. This idea goes right up there with the article in Breakthrough a few years back where the guy fleshed 25 buffalo hides with a reel-type lawnmower.
Didnt say that it was the best idea!
Jim cleary states he's not a taxidermist!
also, noticing the "experts" are getting to be real smart asses!
Ever since I started this business years ago, Ive always used A beam, and draw knife. Then a few years ago I thought of something. I bought a heavy duty commercial type electric fillet knife. Let me tell ya...This thing will ever more flesh a hide. Just put your cape on the beam, and get at it. It does a great job of removing meat and membrane. Hell itll shave it pretty dang thin too. if you havent tried it, you might ought to. Works for me....NG
I wonder what everyone thought the first time someone actually suggested "plastic earliners" or "in shop tanning"
"What are ya...stupid? That'll never work!
"Don't be an idiot"
CUR:
Even though you may give information here that is indeed valuable, your know it all, arrogant, condescending, snotty way of answering the questions here confirms my suspiscions.
You are a grumpy, discontented, lonely and never been layed old man.
Get a hooker, get drunk, get a little and get a better attitude!
GEEEEZZZZ.
Grumpy, yes; Discontent, never: Lonely, you gotta be kidding; Layed? More than you'll ever imagine....and still doing it!
Did you ever consider the fact that perhaps we get a little bit sick of the mundane and ridiculous, not to mention idiots like you who make assumptions based on no personal knowledge?
Check out my history website you cretin. Does that lend the impression that I am any of the above? www.wdgaither.com
And when you are finished reading that, take your paring knife and scrape something!
Mr.Terminology......Have you noticed that serious questions are answered freely, consistantly and with forethought and consideration? If the questions and requests made here were as carefully thought out as the replies, perhaps there would be fewer smart alec answers.
Cur's been nothing but helpful when just out of the blue
I send a request for reference or a question.
I meant smart ass light hearted Bill.
Ok, so I don't have a mile long list of credentials, I haven't worked for all the companies that you have, have an art degree or any of the above.
But I do know that making people feel belittled isn't a trait that I have or would possibly even wish for, thank GOD!
Just ignore the stupid questions since they are beneath you anyway.
Or perhaps you feel that even the very experienced taxidermists here aren't as smart as you and therefore you have to answer EVERY question posted.
You have given very good advice and I'm sure you will continue to.
But lose the big chip you're carrying OK?
I know he does not need it, but in Bills defense, it behooves me why anyone would think Bill has a chip on his shoulder. There are a lot of stupid people out there that come on here and ask a lot of stupid questions.If you are going to ask a stupid and ridiculous question then do not be surprised by the answere. Bill Gaither is one of the most knowledgeable people I know, and as you state always respond to peoples questions. This is FREE expert advice. be thankfull that it is just that because you could not afford to pay a consultant with the same knowledge. there are a lot of great people on this forum who have great talent. And most of them are more than willing to lend a hand to an aspriring taxidermist or someone just qanting some advice.The problem is there knowledge is FREE here and people who bash the responses because they may appear to be smart ass or tongue in-cheek, really have no sense about what goes on here.Show a little appreciation for the fact that you can find this great info on this forum and SHUT UP!
i've seen his answers. I just don't like the responses to the "dumb" questions.
Just ignore them...is that so hard?
I guess I could be considered one of the "Stupid Ones" that is short on knowledge about certain aspects of taxidermy.....but I love this site and keep on asking questions and have had nothing but great responses and help. (Especially from ole' grumpy CUR! ;) ) I love this site and try to make sure I search the site before ask questions so they aren't redundant. I NEVER by the way try to cheapen the art by shortcuts and it seems that normally when someone gets a "smart ass answer" it has to do with short cuts. (I guess I won't ask if PLAY DO and CRITTER CLAY is the same). CUR, didn't think you and Bill were being that tough.....as a matter of fact I thought it was humorous.....and I think the poster understood that his source of information was wrong unless his source was mounting Mr Potato Head.
Thanks again guys for all your help in the past...even when you don't know it.
Mark
Quote "I know he gives good advice
This response submitted by ho-hum on 10/26/01. ( ) 216.74.205.111
i've seen his answers. I just don't like the responses to the "dumb" questions.
Just ignore them...is that so hard?"
Geez Ho Hum. Why don't you take your own advice and just ignore them.
Bill is just venting cause the government wont give him a gun and a plane ticket lol
Bill, you better go fishin for you kill somthing lol
Cheers
DT
the peeler you need is the one with the grape fruit serated edge on it if you have a question e-mail me . I dont know where you hunt but I am not packing my fleshing beam or draw knife with me use your knee for a beam if you try the peeler. This might not work until it is printed in Breakthrough and has some of those guys on here who have issues about others learning this trade give it there blessings but you can have your peeler ready for when that time comes.
Did you see me answer his question? uuhhhh I don't think so!
Ok let me spell it out for you, Einstein. In the same way you suggest that CUR and others just ignore the "dumb questions", you can take your own advice and ignore their responses to those "dumb questions". Is that so hard? Get it now or do you need to have your mommy explain it to you?
Goodness, to compare plastic earliners to a potato peeler does stretch the imagination. IF you were old as Cur and me, you'd know what the alternatives WERE. First there was lead and copper sheets and then when the money ran out for them, you used the cardboard that used to be packed in the back of new dress shirts. Plastic earliners were the best thing since sliced bread (Oh, that's right, you don't remember when bread came in waxed brown paper unsliced either, do you? LOL) Many advancements are made routinely in this industry, but to suggest a potato peeler is a step back from the ulu knife in my opinion. When I go afield, I take a pocket full of disposable scalpels and flesh THE RED MEAT OFF only. I turn ears with my fingers and split eyelids, nose, and lips with the scalpel while shaving the excess meat off against my thumb. (Don't worry, you won't cut your finger more than once or twice until you learn to recognize the feel of thinness before it turns red with your own blood.)
Ever notice it's ALWAYS the "idiots" who are smart enough to feel "belittled"?! Then the common sense is pretty much diminished after that. All gone. Used up in a thought. LOL
Cur...you smarta$$, you forgot to mention the shoe horn for splitting ears, holding back on your information to all us aren't you? Well, we are ON to YOU mister. Freely giving the forums all your educated advice are you? Sharing your experience good AND bad? Going overboard with EXTRA information that might be of USE to us? Even having the AUDACITY to make it INTERESTING? In depth explaining of sought out PROCEDURES? Hmmmm? Highly suspicious. I think it's a sick ploy for you to be a smarta$$. Now, to all you anonymous posters, did that make sense? I'll bet it DID didn't it? And you know why it made sense? Because it SHOULDN'T have that's why, and that's how an idiots mind WORKS!
Now, what do you call a smarta$$ who AIN'T an expert? You call her Leanna! Ever use a potato peeler on POTATOES? Works really swell!
Cur (Bill), you are experiencing what I did a year ago. Those same people who cant tell the difference between our tongue-in-cheek humor and being nasty, will come in here and defend their shortcomings by criticizing you. Then give them about a week and the same people will be emailing you for a free paint schedule or something. Never fails. How DARE you post humorous replies when they are trying to get a free lesson? Ha ha ha. How come nobody bitched at the sarcasm of John Barber's post? Same thing. Personally I found John's post to be funny as well as accurate, as I did Cur's. Again, sounds like we need to coddle folks again. Lighten up, everyone, this stuff isnt real, its a taxidermy forum, for cripe's sake. By the way, I cant flesh the eye of a POTATO with one of those things, no less a deer! One other thing, I noticed that Jim didnt seem to be too offended, he didnt post again to snivvle. I think guys like Gaither and Roof's helpful info earns them the priveledge to throw a harmless shot out there now and then. I also think we are all big enough boys and girls to understand the way its said, and chuckle at it as we move on...
I don't think Jim was trying to save money or be cheap, he was just asking if it really worked. It's quite a coincidence, about a week ago I was peeling carrots with the potato peeler and I though, if it peels carrots so well, I wonder if it would do well with skins? Well, it actually didn't do well at all, but still, I wasn't trying to save money. I just thought it looked like it would work well!
Well I by no means meant to get any feathers ruffled here. I apologize for not responding, but I think this is the first time since I posted that I could sit down and see the responses. Geese, wasn't expecting so many replies. Anyhow, I think it is safe to say the peeler will not work. I wasn't trying to post a stupid question, as mentioned before I AM NOT a taxidermist, just some Joe Smo who loves backpack hunting and is looking to better myself. I normally carry an Ulu style knife, along with a straight blade, and the rounded X-Acto blades. I live in Alaska and for the first time found out what it is like to pack out the hide of a big-arse brown bear. I'll be doing it again next May, and if there is a better way of doing things I WANT TO KNOW! Also, when I first posted the question I asked myself what would be the best room to post under, thinking the "Beginners" room was as close to it as I was gonna get. I personally took no offense to the responses, and I like to think some things I just take with a grain of salt. It sounds like the issue on this thread goes beyond my post. Anyhow, if any one has a suggestion that will work, please share. As mentioned before I am into the backpack hunting and weight is typically a factor. In the meantime I guess I'll give the "shards of broken beer bottles" a try.
Jim